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Tonight's "American Idol" in Baton Rouge was the best episode thus far. We actually got to see more authentic talent than squabbles between the lady judges and misfits. It was awesome.
In the very beginning, we were introduced to Miss Baton Rouge herself, Megan Miller, who opted to postpone surgery on her leg to not miss her audition. Megan did us all a huge favor, siding with singing versus going under the knife.
"I would let my leg fall off before I missed this audition," Megan said. Thank you, Megan! She sang "Something's Got A Hold On Me" and something had a hold on us while she sang. Off to Hollywood for Megan -- right after surgery.
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Nicknamed "Mystery Man" by Nicki (of course). The socially awkward 17-year-old from Little Rock has used singing as his outlet to express himself when he can't verbally. His undiagnosed disorder would make most people call Charlie weird, right up to the point where he opens his mouth to sing.
This seemingly dark mystery man had a huge voice and he sure did use it to wow the judges and America. He's got just the mix of boyish innocence and a seemingly dark side that will make for a good mix in Hollywood, that's exactly where Charlie is headed after unanimous yes votes across the board.
Mariah was interested in knowing if Charlie had reached puberty, I'd assume out of fear that perhaps his voice was not fully developed. But Charlie let us know that his voice was the "first" thing to mature. Nicky wanted to know what the second was. Nicki, he's only 17, you cougar!
Tonight's nominee was Mattie. Nominated by her granny -- and rightly so. Randy surprised Mattie singing "Sitting By the Dock of the Bay" in front a crowd, and gave Mattie her personal invitation to come auditio. Again, we were blown away.
Mattie sang "Oh Darlin'" by the Beatles, the judges screamed yes and handed her a golden ticket. There was a very proud granny waiting for Mattie on the other side of the door, and ummmm, clearly granny had been drinking a little. She was sprinkling fairy dust, clad in Mardi Gras beads and whispering in Ryan Seacrest's ear, "I wanna kidnap you and take you home with me." Baton Rouge may just very well be the Cougar capital of the world tonight. Down Granny! Congrats Mattie. See ya in Hollywood.
Tonight's show is off to a fantastic start, so much talent, so many golden tickets to Hollywood.
I spoke to soon. We got a full segment of tears, cursing, tears, camera shoving and more tears. It wasn't a fantastic night for everyone.
Next contestant: Paul Jolly. Had a gift he wanted to share with the world. Paul took this opportunity for his grandpa. Grandpa was definitely looking down from heaven and enjoying Paul's rendition of Rascal Flat's "I Won't Let Go." Paul, don't you let go of that golden ticket until you're in your room in Hollywood. Grandpa is proud, I'm sure.
"Mushroom" was the name Nicki gave contestant Chris, who likes to sing Adam Lambert songs badly. No ticket. Thank you very mush-room. Goodbye.
Oh, thank you "American Idol" for introducing me to Dr. Feel Good. This 33-year-old medical doctor may have taken on the boldest artist ever to audition with: Maxwell. It was absolutely heavenly. I couldn't hear past all the noise his beautiful biceps were making. I think I need a doctor -- does he make house calls? If not, I'm willing to travel to Hollywood for his bedside manner. Oh doc. Thank you. Can't wait to see -- I mean hear -- you in Hollywood.
Michelle, Breanna and Brandy, all through to Hollywood. As was firefighter Watts, who sand Garth Brooks and got his golden ticket as well.
And what a finale. We meet 19-year-old Burnell Taylor, a huricane Katrina survivor. He and his family lost everything in Katrina and had to pick up and start all over. He did, without missing a beat or allowing it to dampen his dreams of becoming a singer.
Burnell sang "I'm Here" from The Color Purple and unless you were in a coma, you felt every word and had goose bumps. A speechless Mariah cried. Nicki said, "We've flown all around the country just to find you."
Burnell got an "amazing" from Randy and Keith Urban closed out the standing ovation with "somewhere there is a spotlight just waiting for you to walk into it!"Another hopeful that I think will stick around for a while. Welcome to Hollywood, Burnell.
Thirty-five others received golden tickets tonight. The amount of talent in Baton Rouge was extraordinary, hailed Keith Urban, then he turned to Nicky and called her Mariah. Thunder crashed, lightened flashed and hearts stopped beating -- until Keith immediately realized what he had done and told Nicky he'll do a thousand Hail Marys for that one. Mariah said, "Then some." I am certain that Keith is still doing Hail Marys. Ouch!
Next week: A double hitter, on to The Alamo and Long Beach. See you then. It's "Idol," baby!


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Suunto UK has partnered up with the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds in England. Amongst the 5,000 professionals and amateur triathletes competing, there is one that caught our eye – Jim McKellar – who just so happens to be the same age as us. Both Jim and Suunto turned 80 this year! We got in touch and found out a little more about what makes him tick.
As a veteran of 120 marathons and ultras alongside being a member of the Great Britain Age-Group Team at the ITU World Championships, Jim McKellar, or 'Old Bullet' as he is known by his running friends after his multiple exploits at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of our self-imposed limitations. But what makes his achievements particularly impressive is that he only took up running at 51 after being made redundant from his workplace of 25 years.
"I lost my pride and became a bit of a mess," Jim tells us. "My doctor told me that if I carried on like I was, I'd be dead in five years. So I entered the London Marathon. That was back in 1992." Twenty consecutive London marathons later, and it's fair to say he'd got the bug.
You're never too old to take up triathlon
But it wasn't until the ripe old age of 74, shortly after completing his 120th marathon, which happened to be the 89 km long Comrades (for the third time), that he took up triathlon and in the following year entered the 2012 Windsor Triathlon, even though he didn't know how to swim.
"Triathlon training is horrendous," he laughs, "but I'm getting there".
The following year, in 2013, he qualified for the ITU World Championship at Hyde Park and competed in the 75–79 age group, coming 3rd in the country and 10th in the world, one of his proudest achievements. He had hoped to return the following year, but it wasn't meant to be.
Overcoming setbacks
Sadly, not long afterwards Jim suffered a major setback. Out cycling with his club, he was involved in a collision with a car, suffering injuries to his pelvis and a chipped bone in his right leg that required specialist treatment and skin grafts. For 18 months walking was hard enough, let alone running or cycling.
Now, most people under the circumstances might decide to call it quits, but not Jim. Indeed, if ever a man embodied the spirit of Suunto, a determination to win and to never give up, Jim is it.
"I need that challenge of getting up in the morning," he continues. "My wife had myeloma cancer and for the past three years, I looked after her 24/7. We battled on. I'm battling on now – I will not give up." Sadly, his wife passed away in March, making him even more resolved to compete in this year's Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds.
However, Leeds won't be without its challenges if Jim is to achieve his goal of winning gold in his age group (M80-84) as a tribute to his late wife Lily – and in the process raise money for MacMillan. "My leg injuries have curtailed my training a little," he says with a wry smile. "I'm not bothered about the swim or bike – I'm riding a hundred miles a week – and my swimming's come on a treat, but I've had to adopt a let's get round job in the run element."
"Every morning I do exercises up lampposts to get rid of all the stiffness in my leg. But I'm up to six to eight miles of fast walking and jogging, which I'm pleased with considering three months ago I couldn't go 100 yards."
And so he should be pleased. Because as Jim points out, people don't use their full potential and simply compete in their comfort zone. So perhaps we should follow his example, and learn to push ourselves beyond the norm. We never know, we might just surprise ourselves.
Images by James Carnegie
Read more triathlon stories:
10 Ambit3 hacks for triathletes
How to use the power of commitment

subset: commoncrawl


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Los Angeles, (July 24, 2010) – Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors, meeting in a one-day video plenary in Los Angeles and New York, named Bob Bergen National Chair of the 2010 Television Animation and Basic Cable Animation Negotiating Committee. Pursuant to Screen Actors Guild policy, the members of negotiating committees are confidential and their names will not be released. Negotiations for a successor agreement to this contract are scheduled to begin September 27, 2010.
In other business, National President Ken Howard reported to the Board regarding the formation of The Presidents' Forum for One Union – a joint platform with American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to facilitate development of a process that can lead SAG and AFTRA to form one autonomous union.
Screen Actors Guild's contingent to The Presidents' Forum will consist of six SAG members including President Howard as Chair, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, and four additional members selected from the Guild's SAG/AFTRA Relations Task Force. The Forum will include a similar group designated by AFTRA.
President Howard said, "This is a positive step toward uniting SAG and AFTRA and good news for our members. The creation of a single performers' union is overdue, and I'm pleased to be working with Roberta Reardon, who's been such a champion of that goal."
The National Board received additional reports including:
National President's Report
President Howard reported on the very successful and collegial joint Wages and Working Conditions meetings conducted with AFTRA. President Howard attended Wages and Working Conditions meetings in various cities across the country and today commended the hard work and dedication of all Screen Actors Guild members and staff. He further stressed the productive and positive partnership with AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and the AFTRA team during the joint Wages and Working Conditions process.
Secretary Treasurer's Report
Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino delivered a report on the Guild's 2010 Year End financials noting better than expected results from the Guild's expense management program and significantly improved income from investments. Aquino reported a surplus of $329,000 for fiscal year 2010.
Aquino recognized SAG Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto and her Finance team for their efforts in streamlining the Guild's financial operations. Aquino credited the SAG Finance Committee and SAG National Executive Director David White's strategic expense reduction and resource maximization programs for the better than anticipated performance saying, "Early in 2009, David White identified a series of financial concerns amounting to a potential deficit of several million dollars. David's and the executive team's quick action to improve SAG's financial management and to streamline operations resulted in meaningful expense reductions and an even more stable fiscal position."
The Board also received an unqualified opinion with respect to the audit conducted by the Guild's accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
National Executive Director's Report
National Executive Director David White commended the hard work of Guild members and staff during the Wages and Working Conditions process and drew particular notice to the effective collaboration of SAG and AFTRA leadership, committee members and staff throughout the process.
White also updated the Board on the successful expense reduction efforts still underway and reported that the organizing team is implementing new campaigns in specific production genres.
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Good news! Another study suggests chocolate may be good for you. And the more you eat, the better off you are.
A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge surveyed seven studies that examined the effect of chocolate consumption on the health of 114,000 participants.
The results suggest there's a beneficial relationship between chocolate consumption and cardiovascular disease. Those with the highest level of chocolate consumption had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and 29% reduction in stroke. So grab that box of Russell Stover Assorted Creams and indulge yourself for a while. [British Medical Journal via Gizmag]
You can keep up with Kelly Hodgkins, the author of this post, on Twitter, Google + or Facebook.


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I got my box of Entertainment Earth Exclusive Comic Packs today (full disclosure: I work there for my day job) and I was surprised to see not only was a bonus helmet included for Baron Fel, but a new, previously unseen comic pack based on Empire Strikes Back movie figures-- including one you might find particularly desirable-- were shown on the back. While no plans are known for a release date of this item, we have more pics of this unique set (and quick text reviews of the rest) after the jump.
Early pre-orders for this set have started to ship, with others being filled shortly. Click here to pre-order your sets from our sponsor Entertainment Earth for delivery soon.
Most notable on the figure of Baron Fel is an accessory of a glossy black Rebel helmet with a bright red Rebel logo on it, which was absent from the early photography. (Aside from some of the Mandalorian weapons, this is the only accessory previously unseen by most fans in the new exclusive.) Most notable on the back of the packaging for these sets is an unannounced and previously unseen Classic Star Wars #2 set which includes Super Articulated Bespin Han Solo and a white Rebel Pilot Luke Skywalker. Nifty! Note: It is entirely possible that this item will never, ever make it out, so don't get your hopes up just yet.
But how are the sets? I got about 5 minutes of hands-on time with each so far, so have some very brief first impressions. Oh yeah, and these opinions do not necessarily reflect those of any employers or other people or whatever. So yeah, keep reading.
Baron Fel and Ysanne Isard use the most old parts of any of the set-- Fel is essentially the 2009 Captain Needa body with a new head, a hat, a helmet, and new gloves. Ysanne is the Juno Eclipse/Deena Shan body with new deco and a new head, which works well enough for her. Each is super-articulated and for fans of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron figures, it's certainly a step in the right direction-- although we're still lacking a good, solid pilot (Rebel or Imperial) version of the Baron still. (The 2007 one sucked.)
Montross and Jaster Mereel use a few recycled parts, which was actually somewhat surprising. Montross and Jaster each have three new weapons each, with some really excellent sculpting-- the butt on Jaster's rifle has a Bantha Skull (or whatever it's been retconned into these days) sculpted on it, and the weapons look really great. Montross reuses Evolutions Boba Fett's torso, helmet scuplt, and jetpack, with all of the limbs and head being new. Why they didn't just do up a new beefy torso, I don't know. Jaster is a resculpted Evolutions Jango Fett with a new head (I'll leave it up to you to decide which political figure it looks like), with a new belt and a new head. Both figures have new cloth capes.
Rohlan Dyre and Jarael are completely new sculpts-- as far as I can tell, nothing is recycled, or at least it isn't obvious. Mandalorian Rohlan is super-articulated, as a removable helmet and jetpack, plus comes armed with a knife and a blaster which he can holster on his person. His sculpt is exquisite, his armor deco is amazing, but his helmet deco is a little weak compared to the rest of the outfit and his scarred face looks like they could have been a little more subtle-- but helmeted, he's pretty awesome even if you've never read the comic series. It's really a wonderful figure in its own right-- you're going to like it. Jarael is a blue girl covered in some tattoos, plus she has soft goods made out of a new material I haven't seen used in Star Wars before-- it's a little stiffer and looks better. She has a removable satchel accessory and possibly the prettiest face I've seen on a female Star Wars figure. Each figure has 12 points of articulation-- neither has ankles, but you won't miss them. The quality here is, overall, some of Hasbro's finest comic pack work. I can live with a scar I can remove if it means spiked Mandalorians live on my desk.
Darth Nihil and Deliah Blue are the nakedest figures in the set. I never realized Nihil didn't wear pants until seeing the figure tonight and then checking the comics for reference-- sure enough, the dude fights sans pantaloons. His lightsaber cane has a removable blade and his Nagai ancestry is evident in his marked-up white skin. (He's very pale.) Due to his odd loincloth armor design garment, his legs move freely and the Vong-esque armor looks really nice on him. This is a pretty dang nice figure. He has 14 points of articulation, while Deliah has 12. Deliah will probably be remembered mostly for her partially opened shirt and the way the light emphasizes her breasts, but it's important to remember that she's the only Zeltron which has made it to action figure form-- we're sorry they forgot you, Dani! Her pink skin and purple hair look great, she's nicely articulated and wears one of the most colorful costumes this side of the Clone Wars. Both are great figures, particularly for those looking to adding to Darth Krayt's Sith Order. (We just need a few more-- here's hoping these sell well enough to convince Hasbro to keep going!)
Better reviews with pictures will be coming in Figure of the Day starting next week! I've been violently ill and need to not be writing, but I figured you just had to see this stuff right now.


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Store Manager - Shenfield
Shenfield, Essex
Job type:
£24000.00 - £26000.00 per annum + Benefits
C2 Recruitment
Contact email:
Job ref:
6 months ago
Expiry date:
Cafe Store Manager
Shenfield, Essex.
Up to £26,000 per annum + bonus
Our client is a well-established franchise partner for one of the UK's leading coffee shop brands, operating store in the South East. This award-winning company have previously been named Partnership of the Year and are continuing to expand their portfolio of stores. We are currently recruiting for a Store Manager to operate one of their branded coffee shops.
The ideal candidate will have experience as a manager within a fast-paced, customer focused, café or coffee shop environment and a proven track record of delivering strong sales. You will need to be motivated, enthusiastic and have a real passion for exceptional customer service in addition to the ability to train and develop a large team and great financial knowledge.
Key Responsibilities:
- To lead the store team by your own example in delivering great customer service and ensure that the store is clean, safe and inviting at all times.
- To manage the development of all members of the team, in addition to managing the recruitment process, either through succession planning and personal development or external selection; ensuring the team is fully staffed.
- To apply performance management processes in order to improve team performance where necessary.
- Through effective stock level management, labour scheduling, training, and reward and recognition, capture every sales opportunity.
- To have overall responsibility for all processes in store whilst providing consistent brand standards.
- To be aware of and be able to respond to all activity in the local marketplace.
- To ensure compliance with all aspects of the health and safety, and food safety policies and all aspects of the companies audit and operating procedures.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially aware and driven manager to make a name for themselves with an industry-leading brand. If you have the skills we are looking for and a passion for coffee, please apply with a copy of your CV and covering letter.
This role is being handled by C2 Recruitment the leading specialist Retail, Hospitality and Leisure recruitment consultancy recruiting across the whole of the UK.
By applying for this role, you are consenting for C2 Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. If you have any questions or wish to exercise your right to access, erase or restrict the holding or processing of your data please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we will respond to your query within 48 working hours.
To view other great opportunities please check out our website or call us on 01743 770280 for a confidential chat about upcoming opportunities.
Follow C2 Recruitment on your favourite social networks - Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn


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|ユカイ Yukai
|Naruto Shippūden Episode #320
|Appears in
|Voice Actors
Yukai (ユカイ, Yukai) is a young shinobi from Kumogakure and the leader of the Thundercloud Unit.
Yukai was a young prodigy from Kumogakure, well versed in kenjutsu and assigned to be the Thundercloud Unit's leader in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Despite his young age, Yukai showed great courage and leadership skills, managing to keep calm and focused while facing certain death when he and his unit were cornered by nearly two thousand White Zetsu clones. He also greatly respects Omoi, referring to the older shinobi as "onii-san" (お兄さん, Literally meaning: elder brother).
Yukai has dark red hair, with two bangs, and golden eyes. He wears a white Shinobi Alliance forehead protector and a green vest, with white cloth around the waist. Like the rest of his unit, he also carries a large scroll on his back attached to arm straps. Additionally, he wears a yellow armband with the Kumogakure insignia, which was given to him by Omoi.
Being hailed as a prodigy, Yukai, alongside his teammates, was deemed combat ready and was allowed to participate in the Fourth Shinobi World War, albeit in the role of a Supply Unit, rather than direct combat.
Like many of his teammates, he is considered to be considerably skilled in kenjutsu, despite his young age.
Nature Transformation
Yukai has been shown to be proficient in Lightning Release; being able to use a powerful combination technique, with the assistance of his unit and Omoi, which neutralised a large number of White Zetsu.
Part II
Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Yukai and the rest of the Thundercloud Unit, was sent to the Seventh Front in order to back up the Water Attack Raid Unit, who had been overrun by two thousand White Zetsu clones. Sometime during this, they became trapped within a large statue on the battlefield after the White Zetsu used the surrounding, poisonous red soil to create a vast smokescreen of poisonous gas. After speaking with his teammates within the statue, Yukai and the others emerge to fight the Zetsu and face their fate. In the ensuing fight, Yukai is injured, however, Omoi appears and fights alongside them. At this point, using the Lightning Release Co-Operation: Thunder Bomb technique, the group is able to neutralise and finish off the remaining White Zetsu.
- When written as 愉快, "Yukai" means "pleasant, happy".


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Up for sale are an Opteron 170 and a Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS motherboard. I am selling the processor and it's packaged cooler (best boxed cooler I've ever used) and basically giving away the motherboard. Since there is a higher chance of damage to the CPU during shipping it by itself you will be getting a motherboard that works or it doesn't, I'm not sure. When I pulled the parts out of the attic I put in a new button battery (CR2032) in the motherboard.
I am asking $20 for the lot plus shipping. If you are interested in the item send me your mailing address and I'll see what USPS says about shipping costs. I will ship to anywhere in the US and Canada (if Canada we'll have to work out a currency exchange rate). The package will be sent via USPS Priority Mail. Upon payment I'll get the item shipped out by the next business day. I am working from 7:30-5:00PM with an hour drive each way. So I highly doubt I'll be able to get the item in the mail the same day.
I will keep this post active for 2 weeks and if there are no takers I'll move on to another avenue for the sale. I like you guys and gals so you have first dibs.
Opteron 170 and Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS - $20
Buy, sell, or trade with other members. feel free to post anything you have or need.
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